More federal agents headed to Chicago to help stem city's violence, illegal guns

CHICAGO – Federal officials are sending seven more agents to Chicago to help the city's police department fight violence.

The U.S. Department of Justice announced in a news release that Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives was assigning the additional agents to the city where violence during the July 4 holiday weekend left more than a dozen people dead and dozens more injured.

Attorney General Eric Holder says the manpower illustrates a federal commitment to help the police department in battling the street gangs that are a major reason why Chicago leads the nation in homicides.

The FBI has also temporarily assigned more agents to the city during the summer months, when the number of homicides and other violent crimes typically climbs.